Langley airman gets citizenship at White House

Airman 1st Class Kamar Harris took the oath of allegiance and became a U.S.… (Rob Ostermaier, Daily Press )

August 14, 2014|By Ali Rockett, alrockett@dailypress.com

HAMPTON — Airman 1st Class Kamar Harris was often razzed by friends for his Canadian roots.

But no more.

"He's official now," said Staff Sgt. Terrell Kelley, who serves in Harris' unit.

Harris was naturalized July 4 during a ceremony at the White House presided over by President Barack Obama.

Born in Toronto of parents who immigrated there from Barbados and Jamaica, Harris has lived in the United States for 12 years. He joined the Air Force last fall and was stationed at Langley Air Force Base three months ago.

His reasons for enlisting were simple: "Leave home. Be independent. Reap the benefits. Serve my country."

Kelley said Harris has represented his unit and the Air Force well.

"It gives the unit a positive light," Kelley said. "It shows the Air Force is diversified. It shows we'll take anyone no matter where they came from if they are willing to serve. They have a lot to give. Airman Harris is the perfect example of that."

President Obama has sworn in new citizens annually on Independence Day since his first term in office. Harris joined 24 other service members in the Oath of Allegiance this year.

Harris said he doesn't remember much of what the president said — his excitement clouded his memory. "He said a lot of words. But what I remember most is 'Thank you for serving.' "

"Everybody almost lost their breath," he said. "It was pretty awesome. There is no better place to be at on the Fourth of July."

"This one is the most important," he said pulling out the coin that clearly proves him a member of a new unit — a citizen of the United States.

From "the man himself," Harris said, the gold and blue coin is stamped with the presidential seal, an eagle with unfurled wings and talons clinching olive branches and arrows. "Not even a year in the military and I've met the president."

Kelley said when Harris returned to Langley, the young airman couldn't contain his smile and showed off the new keepsake.

Harris is a 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron water and fuel maintenance systems apprentice at Langley. Kelley said Harris was eager to learn from day one.

"He is a smart kid," Kelley said. "He was kind of overwhelmed at first. He wanted to focus more on his job than procedural stuff. He was all over it. He adapted quickly. That's a trait that you can't learn and that's something needed in any branch of the service."

Originally, Harris wanted to be an Air Force pilot, but he didn't meet the requirements — pilots are officers, and officers must be U.S. citizens.

"Now, I'm a citizen. Hopefully, one day, I will fly a plane."

While he has decided to call the U.S. his permanent home, Harris said he can't forget where he came from.

"All of them are home to me. I can't leave my roots. They made me what I am today," Harris said. "I just had an appreciation for this country, for the history and the opportunities."